User interface for an extracorporeal blood treatment machine

ABSTRACT

A user interface for a machine for extracorporeal blood treatment comprises a touch screen and a controller programmed to display on a screen ( 16 ) a display in which two distinct areas are arranged, one of which ( 161 ) exhibits a series of touch keys ( 17 ). Activation of any one touch key ( 17 ) causes visualization of an image in a second area ( 162 ) of the screen. The images are displayed alternatively and are at least partly different one from another. Each touch key ( 17 ) is associated to an instruction, or to a group of instructions, all concerned with readying the machine for use. Each image is a pictograph of a configuration of the machine, correlated with an instruction associated to the touch key ( 17 ) selected. The operator is aided in making the machine ready for treatment.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a user interface for a machine forextracorporeal blood treatment, as well as to a machine forextracorporeal blood treatment comprising the user interface.

Specifically, though not exclusively, the invention is usefully appliedin the field of dialysis machines, such as for example machines forintensive treatment for acute renal failure.

In particular the invention relates to a user interface according to thepreamble of the first claim.

Document WO 98/35747 teaches a dialysis machine, suitable for carryingout periodical dialysis treatments—including domestic treatment—which isprovided with a user interface such as the one described in the preambleof the first claim, in which the user interface has a programmedcontroller that displays various layouts on a touch-screen monitor, inat least one of which layouts (FIG. 5) the screen is sub-divided intovarious areas. A first of these areas exhibits touch keys, each of whichis associated to a parameter relating to the dialysis treatment; whilein a second of the areas, following activation of any one of the touchkeys in the first area, two further touch keys are displayed, each inthe form of an arrow, through which the parameter selected by the firsttouch key (in the first area) can be modified (up or down).

In the second screen area at first a further touch key is displayed,dedicated in particular to the change of the drip chamber level in theextracorporeal circuit. Selection of this further touch key brings up anillustration of the drip chamber on-screen, and the user can indicate onthe illustration the level present in the chamber at the time.

The touch screen further comprises other touch keys having variousfunctions, such as for example, one key for returning to the previousdisplay, another for viewing other data, another still for signallingproblems, and so on.

The touch screen further comprises at least one other display (FIG. 4)with various touch keys; by activating this screen other user-processordialog windows are opened.

User interfaces in dialysis machines generally have the function ofsetting up a dialog between the processor of the machine and the user oroperator using the machine, for example in order to regulate machineoperation or for setting desired treatment parameters, such as, forexample, blood pump flow rate, the flow rate and temperature of thedialysis fluid, treatment times, and so on.

One of the aspects of user interfaces in known-type dialysis machines(for example WO 98/35747) which is liable to improvement is thatrelating to interaction between the user or operator and the machineduring preparation procedures prior to the actual treatment.

Normally these readying procedures comprise at least the mounting of thedisposable set onto the machine. The disposable set usually comprises atleast the extracorporeal blood circuit, destined in use to be connectedup to a vascular access of the patient about to undergo treatment, andthe blood treatment unit, generally comprising a filtration unit (forexample a dialyzer).

Treatment preparation procedures usually further comprise at least onepriming stage for the circuit and the blood treatment unit, as well as aconnection stage of the extracorporeal circuit to the vascular access ofthe patient.

These preparation procedures can be very long, complicated andlaborious, especially with intensive therapy dialysis machines, wherethe machine operator is often not specialised in the use of theseapparatus, and where the time factor is critical as the patient is oftenin quite a serious condition and needs as fast an intervention aspossible.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An aim of the present invention is to provide a user interface which isable to improve setting-up time for the readying of an apparatus forextracorporeal blood treatment.

A further aim of the invention is to provide a machine forextracorporeal blood treatment in which the preliminary operations inpreparation for a correct functioning of the machine are easy to do andimmediate on the part of the user, even where the latter is notspecialised.

An advantage of the invention is that it makes rapid learning possible,as well as rapid execution even by a non-expert user, of the proceduralsteps necessary for preparation of the machine for extracorporeal bloodtreatment.

A further advantage of the present invention is to provide a userinterface which is easy to use, and by means of which times for carryingout the preliminary stages of machine preparation for extracorporealblood treatment can be reduced—for example, in relation to the mountingof the single—use parts of the apparatus on the machine.

The aims and advantages and more besides are all achieved by the presentinvention, as it is characterised in one or more of the appended claims.

In a characteristic of the invention, the selection of any touch keylocated in a first area of a display will determine display, in a secondarea of the screen, of a corresponding image, each touch key beingassociated to a respective image.

In an embodiment of the invention, the images associated to the touchkeys are shown in a different way, i.e. not at the same time in a secondarea of the display.

In an embodiment of the invention, the images displayed on the secondarea of the screen are, at least partially, different one from another.

In an embodiment of the invention, the user interface comprises a memoryhaving a plurality of data (or data groups) which are displayed on thefirst area of the screen, each item (or group) of data being placedon-screen in a position in which it is visually associated to arespective touch-key.

In an embodiment of the invention, the above-cited data groups aredisplayed contemporaneously in the first area of the screen.

In an embodiment of the invention, the data groups are not cancelled ifone of the touch keys is selected.

In an embodiment of the invention, the data groups comprise operatinginstructions for readying the machine.

In an embodiment of the invention, the images displayed in the secondarea of the screen comprise pictographs representing configurations ofthe machine correlated to instructions for operations to be performed onthe machine itself.

In an embodiment of the invention, the contents of the data shown on thefirst area of the screen cannot be changed via the touch screen by amachine user.

In an embodiment of the invention, the data shown in the first area ofthe screen does not contain parameters which can be set by the operator.

In an embodiment of the invention, the second area of the screen iswithout touch keys, or other areas predisposed for data input, at leastin the areas containing images associated to the touch keys in the firstarea.

In an embodiment of the invention, selecting a touch key determines avisible change in a part of the first area of the screen, being the partvisibly associated on-screen with the selected touch key.

In an embodiment of the invention, a process for assisting an operatorin readying the machine for extracorporeal blood treatment includesstages of: 1) bringing up on a touch-screen at least one display dividedinto at least two distinct areas, a first area exhibiting at least twotouch keys, each touch key being associated to at least one instructionrelating to readying the machine; 2) touching a touch key for selectingat least one operative instruction; 3) in response to the aboveselection, displaying a pictograph on a second area of the screen whichrepresents a configuration of the machine which is correlated to theinstruction given.

Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention willbetter emerge from the detailed description that follows, of at leastone embodiment of the invention, illustrated by way of non-limitingexample in the appended figures of the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The description will be made with reference to the figures of thedrawings, which are provided by way of non-limiting example, in which:

FIG. 1 shows the machine for extracorporeal blood treatment of theinvention, to which an integrated module (represented in the figurewithout associated hydraulic circuit) is associable;

-   -   figures from 2 to 9 show user-interface displays which can be        called on-screen in the machine of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference to FIG. 1, 1 denotes in its entirety a machine forextracorporeal blood treatment, represented in the illustratedembodiment by a dialysis machine which is suitable for intensivetreatment of acute kidney failure.

2 denotes in its entirety an integrated module which can be coupled tothe dialysis machine 1. The integrated module 2 is constituted by acombination of at least one support element 3 of a distribution circuit(of known type and not illustrated) arranged on the support element 3,and a blood treatment unit 4. The blood treatment unit 4 can be, forexample, a plasma filter, a hemodialysis filter, a hemofiltrationfilter, or a different unit.

The hydraulic circuit, which is completed by a combination of theintegrated module 2 and the machine 1, comprises a blood circuit whichremoves blood from a patient, for example via a catheter inserted in avascular access of the patient, and takes the blood though a bloodremoval line to the treatment unit 4.

The blood passes through a first chamber (blood chamber) of thetreatment unit 4 and, via a return line, is transported back to thepatient.

Immediately downstream of the blood removal zone, connection is madebetween the removal line and an auxiliary pre-infusion line.

In particular, the machine includes at least one container of a firststerile fluid 5 for supplying the pre-infusion line; fluid transportmeans, in the embodiment constituted by a pre-infusion pump 6, forexample a peristaltic pump, control the flow of fluid in thepre-infusion line directly into the blood via a direct connection to theblood removal line.

Generally the container of the first sterile fluid 5 can contain apre-infusion fluid, although the same container can be used forcontaining an anticoagulant, usually of a locally-acting type.

The machine further comprises means for transporting fluid, i.e. in theembodiment at least one blood pump 7 for control and management of acorrect blood flow in the circuit. The blood pump 7 is peristaltic.

Once a blood circulation direction has been established from the bloodremoval zone to the blood treatment unit 4, and thereafter to the bloodreturn line towards the patient, a blood pressure sensor is includedimmediately downstream of the auxiliary pre-infusion line.

Continuing along the blood circulation direction, a device is includedfor administration of an anticoagulant, for example a syringe containingappropriate doses of heparin.

The blood then crosses a further pressure sensor which monitors thecorrect flow rate internally of the blood circuit.

After crossing the first blood chamber of the treatment unit 4, wheresubstance-exchange and molecular and fluid exchange takes place througha semi-permeable membrane, the treated blood enters the return line,crossing a gas separator (generally air), where any air bubbles presentor introduced to the blood during treatment are expelled.

The treated blood exiting from the gas separator (also known as adeaeration chamber) crosses a bubble sensor (also known as an airdetector) which checks that these dangerous formations are not presentin the treated blood, which is about to be sent back into the bloodcircuit of the patient.

Immediately downstream of the bubble sensor a closure element islocated, which on activation of an alarm can block the blood flowtowards the patient.

In particular, if the bubble sensor reveals the presence of anomalies inblood flow, the machine, by means of the closure element (which can be acock, a clamp or the like) the blood passage would immediately bestopped in order to prevent any kind of consequence to the patient.

Downstream of the closure element the treated blood is returned to thepatient undergoing treatment.

The distribution circuitry comprises a first circuit of a second sterilefluid (dialysing liquid) having at least one inlet line to the bloodtreatment unit 4 and an outlet line from the treatment unit 4.

At least one container of the second sterile fluid 8 is destined tosupply the inlet line of the first circuit.

The inlet line is destined to cooperate with means for fluid transport,being at least one pump 9 (in the embodiment a peristaltic pump)predisposed on the frontal part of the machine to control the flow ofthe second sterile fluid coming from the container 8, and to define acirculation direction.

Downstream of the pump 9 of the second sterile fluid, along thecirculation direction, a branch is included which divides the firstcircuit of the second sterile fluid into an inlet branch and an infusionbranch.

In particular the infusion branch is connected to the blood circuitreturn line. In other words, with this infusion line infusion can bemade directly into the blood, using the contents of the container 8 ofthe second sterile fluid.

The inlet branch takes the second sterile fluid directly to the bloodtreatment unit 4, in particular to a second chamber (dialysis chamber)of the unit 4.

The first circuit of the second sterile fluid is further associated to afirst selector which determines the percentage quantities of fluid flowinto the infusion branch and the inlet branch.

Generally the first selector, usually located in proximity of thebranch, enables selection between at least a first operative condition,in which the second sterile fluid can pass into the inlet branch butcannot pass into the infusion branch, and a second operative condition,in which they allow passage of fluid into the infusion branch but notinto the inlet branch.

In other words the first selector can be constituted by a valve elementsuitable for operating in a fluid circuit, which can alternatively shutoff passage of fluid into one or the other branch. Selectors can beused, if preferred, which can decide prior to starting the quantity ofthe second sterile fluid which can pass at a same time into one and theother branch. Otherwise the percentage amounts of fluid passing into onebranch or the other can be established according to determined times andtherapies.

The second sterile fluid (dialysing liquid) crosses the inlet branch andenters the second chamber (dialysis side) of the blood treatment unit 4.

In particular the first chamber (blood chamber), crossed by the bloodflow, is separated from the second chamber (dialysis chamber), crossedby the second sterile fluid, by a semi-permeable membrane which enablespassage of the damaging molecules and substances and fluids in the bloodtowards the second sterile fluid (dialysing liquid), mainly throughconvection and diffusion processes; at the same time, and by the sameprinciples, passage of substances and molecules from the second sterilefluid and towards the blood is allowed.

The second sterile fluid, for dialysis, enters the outlet line of thefirst circuit and crosses a special pressure sensor for controlling thefunctioning of the line.

Means for transporting the fluid, for example an effluent drainage pump10, are present, which control the flow in the fluid circuit outletline. This pump 10, as the others, is usually peristaltic.

The discharge fluid then crosses a blood leak detector 15 and is sent onto an effluent collection container 11.

An infusion line is located on the return line of the blood circuit. Inparticular, a third sterile fluid (infusion fluid) is sourced from atleast one auxiliary container 12 and, by action of a fluid transportmeans, generally an infusion pump 13 which controls flow (in theembodiment a peristaltic pump), is sent directly to the blood circuitreturn line.

The third sterile fluid (infusion liquid) can be sent directly into thegas separator device.

The post-infusion branch of the first circuit of the second sterilefluid and the infusion line of the third sterile fluid are provided witha common terminal inlet tract to the blood circuit.

The terminal inlet tract is located downstream of the infusion pump 13with respect to an infusion direction, and sends the fluid directly intothe gas separator.

At least one pre-infusion branch is present in the infusion line,connected to the blood circuit removal line.

In more detail, there is a branch located downstream of the infusionpump 13 with respect to the infusion direction, which divides theinfusion line into a pre-infusion branch and a post-infusion branch.

The pre-infusion branch takes the fluid removed from the container tothe blood circuit removal line downstream of the blood pump 7(downstream with respect to the circulation direction).

The post-infusion branch is directly connected to the common terminaltract.

The infusion line further comprises a second selector for determiningthe percentage quantities of liquid flow to send into the post-infusionbranch and the pre-infusion branch. The second selector, located inproximity of the branch, is positionable between at least one firstoperative configuration, in which fluid can pass into the pre-infusionbranch but not the post-infusion branch, and at least a second operativeconfiguration, in which fluid is allowed to pass into the post-infusionbranch and not the pre-infusion branch.

As with the first selector on the first circuit of the second sterilefluid, the second selector is able to establish percentages of fluidpassing into each of the two branches, and can if necessary vary thetimes according to the treatments to be carried out. The first andsecond selectors are usually, but not necessarily, of similar type.

The machine is provided with means for determining at least the weightof the container of the first sterile fluid 5 and/or the container ofthe second sterile fluid 8 and/or the container of the third sterilefluid 12 and/or the discharge container 11. The means for determiningare constituted by weight sensors, for example scales (at least oneindependent scales for each container or fluid bag associated to themachine).

There will be at least four of these scales present, each independent ofthe others, and each predisposed to measure the respective weight of acontainer 5, 8, 11, 12.

There is also a CPU active on the blood circuit and in particular on thepressure sensor, the blood pump 7, the heparin infusion device, thefurther pressure sensor, as well as on the bubble sensor and the closureelement.

The CPU is also used for controlling the first circuit of the secondsterile fluid, and in particular to receive data sent by the scalesrelating to the weight of the container 8; it is also active on the pump9, the first selector, the pressure sensor, the drainage pump 10 and thescales weighing the effluent discharge container 11.

The CPU is also active on the infusion line of the third sterile fluid,monitoring the weight of the container 12 (measured by a scales), andalso controls the infusion pump 13 and the second selector.

Finally, the CPU is active on the auxiliary line for pre-infusion of thefirst sterile fluid, measuring the weight of the container 5 via ascales and commanding the pre-infusion pump 6 according to the treatmentto be carried out.

The above, purely descriptive, account of the hydraulic circuitry of themachine for extracorporeal blood treatment will now be followed by abrief explanation of how the device functions.

Before the actual treatment begins, the apparatus must be prepared. Thewhole hydraulic circuitry and the treatment unit are correctlyassociated to the machine so that the various peristaltic pumps engagethe respective tracts of tubing, and all the sensors are correctlypositioned; also, the relative bags containing the various fluids arejoined up to the respective supply or receiving lines of the liquids,and the blood circuit is connected up to an artery or vein of thepatient. When set-up is complete, an initial circulation of the bloodinternally of the respective circuit is made.

According to the type of treatment selected (pure ultra-filtration,hemodialysis, hemofiltration, hemodiafiltration, etc.), the machine forextracorporeal blood treatment is automatically activated and controlledby the processing unit.

The machine 1 exhibits a machine body 100 provided, on a front surface101 thereof, with peristaltic pumps 6, 7, 9, 10, 13, destined tocooperate in use with respective tracts of U-shaped tubing on theintegrated module.

The machine body 100 exhibits a relief acting as a positioning guide 102which projects from the front surface 101, which is complementarilyshaped with respect to the support element 3 with which it will couplein use.

In other words, the guide 102 exhibits a lateral surface 103 which, whenthe integrated module is coupled thereto, is contained within aperimeter wall of the support element 3.

The peristaltic pumps also project from the front surface 101 of themachine body 100 and at least a part of the lateral surface of the pumpsis complementarily shaped with respect to the perimeter wall of thesupport element 3.

The projecting peristaltic pumps and the guide 102 in combination defineseatings 104 having a semicircular shape, i.e. a U-shape, which seatings104 are destined to receive the corresponding tracts of U-shaped tubingof the circuitry.

A first mobile element 105 and a second mobile element 106,substantially identical and borne directly on the machine body 100, aredestined to be active on the infusion and/or inlet branch of the secondsterile fluid (the first mobile element 105) and, respectively, on thepre-infusion branch and/or the post-infusion branch of the third sterilefluid (the second mobile element 106). In particular the first andsecond selectors can be constituted by the mobile elements 105, 106,destined to be controlled by the CPU to selectively allow or blockpassage of fluid into one or another of the branches.

The front surface of the machine further exhibits a plurality offastening elements 14 for fixing the pressure sensors; the pressuresensors associated to the circuitry of the integrated module are hereatconnected up to the CPU.

The blood leak detector 15 is also predisposed on the front surface ofthe machine, and during the apparatus readying stage is associated tothe fluid circuit in outlet from the treatment unit 4.

16 denotes a screen, which is part of the machine user interface.

The user interface comprises a touch screen and a controller programmedto display on the screen 16 of the touch-screen a plurality of displaysin which the screen 16 is divided into two distinct areas, in which afirst area 161 (on the left in the figure) exhibits a plurality of touchkeys 17, and a second area 162 (on the right in the figure), by the sideof the first area, selectively displays a plurality of pictographs 18,each of which is associated to one of the touch-keys 17.

In the present description, the term “touch screen” refers to a devicehaving a screen for data output, which is also used for input throughselection of parts (touch keys) of the screened display using thefingers; the device is able to detect where a user has touched thescreen and from this derive the selected commands and perform them.

In figures from 2 to 9 a series of displays are illustrated which relateto a specific series of procedural steps necessary for readying thedialysis apparatus, in particular the procedural steps for mounting thedisposable set on the dialysis machine, in relation to ahemodiafiltration treatment.

After the operator has used the touch-screen to select the desiredtreatment (in the illustrated case hemodiafiltration, but which couldvariously be hemofiltration, hemodialysis, ultrafiltration, plasmaexchange therapy etc.), the controller of the user interface isprogrammed to bring up on-screen the display of FIG. 2, in which theindications relating to the steps the operator must perform to preparethe machine are shown. In this case the activity consists in mountingthe disposable set, where the set comprises, as mentioned above, thesupport element 4 and relative circuitry, and the blood treatment unit5. The data appearing on-screen comprises, in the example, an Englishexpression viz “Load set”, which is an instruction relating to the nextsteps to take. The display also includes an indication of the selectedtreatment. In this case the treatment selected is hemodiafiltration, andthe well-known English acronym for this is “CVVHDF”.

The display comprises a touch key 19 for cancelling the treatmentselection, if the operator judges it to be incorrect.

The touch keys 17 correspond to one or more procedural steps, arrangedin top-down order according to temporal sequence for carrying out thesteps necessary for loading a disposable set on the machine.

The first area 161 of the display has, by the side of each touch key 17,an alphanumeric indication or legend 20 describing in word form theprocedural step or steps the operator must perform that are associatedwith the respective touch key 17.

A pictograph 18 appears in the second area 162 of the screen in thisdisplay, which pictograph 18 represents the front of the dialysismachine, with the disposable set already mounted on the machine. Thepictograph 18 (FIG. 2) describes the fluid distribution circuitry usinglines in colour code according to the type of fluid line represented, sothat, for example, the blood removal line is represented by a red line,the blood return line is blue, the auxiliary pre-infusion line of thefirst sterile fluid is white, and so on.

On touching any one of the touch keys 17 the controller brings up apictograph 18 in the second area of the display, corresponding to theinstruction associated to the selected touch key 17.

As can be seen in figures from 2 to 9, each pictograph represents themachine for extracorporeal blood treatment and at least a part of thedisposable element operatively associated to the machine.

FIG. 3 shows the display which appears on selection of the first touchkey 17 giving the instructions for fixing the integrated module 2 in thespecial seating predisposed on the front of the machine, and forengaging the various fluid lines in the respective guides, also locatedon the front of the machine.

Selecting the first key (at the top of the display) produces thefollowing changes to the display: firstly the pictograph 18 (FIG. 3)which appears in the second area 162 exhibits an illustration of themachine front, with an accentuation of the support element 3 of theintegrated module in work position; secondly the touch key 17 selectedchanges appearance (for example it is more luminous or changes colour)with respect to the other touch keys, so that the operator is remindedof which touch key 17 (and therefore which operational instruction) thepictograph 18 in the second area 162 of the display is associated to.There are other ways in which the pictograph 18 in the second area 162can be associated to the corresponding data or legend shown in the firstarea 161; for example the legend could be colour-coded to distinguish itfrom the other writing on the screen, or the selected touch key 17 couldbegin to flash, or similar.

FIG. 4 shows the display which appears by effect of selecting the secondtouch key 17 from the top of the display. This touch key 17 isassociated to the instruction to apply the pressure sensors (or pods) tothe corresponding fastening elements 14 predisposed on the front of themachine. The corresponding pictograph 18 (FIG. 4) which appears' in thesecond area 162 of the screen represents the front of the machine, withthe pressure sensors highlighted in the work position, coupled to therelative fastening, elements 14. In this case too the selected touch key17 is in some way distinguished vis-à-vis the other touch keys 17.

FIG. 5 shows the display that appears on selection of the third touchkey 17 from the top. This third touch key 17, which as before with otherkeys is in some way differentiated from the other keys, is associated tothe instruction to operatively connect the outlet line for used fluidexiting the blood treatment unit (where the effluent dialysis fluidflows, also known as the discharge line) with the blood leak detector 15predisposed on the front of the machine. In the pictograph 18 (FIG. 5)which appears by selection of the third touch key 17, and whichschematically illustrates the front of the machine, the above-citedoutlet line and the blood leak detector 15 are particularly highlighted.Visual accentuation, in this case as in the following cases, can beachieved in any known way, for example by greater luminosity of the partto be highlighted with regard to the rest.

FIG. 6 shows the display that appears when the fourth touch key 17 fromthe top is selected. This touch key 17 is associated to the instructionfor temporarily hanging one or more lines, in the embodiment the bloodremoval line and the discharge fluid line, to a support element providedon the machine, in preparation for a priming operation which will followon from the mounting operation of the disposable set on the machine. Inthis case too the operator is assisted in the machine preparation,thanks to the fact that after having selected the touch key 17 relatingto the instruction to be carried out, the operator finds, in the secondarea 162 of the screen, a graphic illustration of the same instruction,constituted by a pictograph 18.

In the first area 161 of the screen display the operator has an overviewof the various operations to be carried out to complete the mountingprocedure for the disposable set on the machine; but the operator canalso receive further data, displayed on-screen in the second area 162thereof, which relate to each single instruction or group ofinstructions described in the first part 161 of the screen and selectedas required. The written data (legends 20), remains visible at all timesto the operator no matter which touch key 17 is selected, while the datadisplayed on-screen in the second area 162 of the display changeaccording to which touch key 17 is selected time-by-time by theoperator. The further and more specific data relating to each touch key17 and displayed in the second area 162 of the screen takes the form ofpictographs 18 represented by the operations the operator is to carryout on the machine.

FIG. 7 shows the display that appears on-screen on selection of thefifth touch key 17. The data (or data group) associated to the fifthtouch key 17 is related to positioning the gas separator device in thespecial support element predisposed on the front of the machine, and toconnect up an auxiliary line for the pressure connection, which exitsfrom the top of the chamber itself, to an inlet port, also predisposedon the front of the machine, for sending the pressure in the chamber toa pressure transducer inside the machine. Also in the present case thepictograph 18 (FIG. 7) appearing on the second area 162 of screen isdescriptive of the above-cited instruction.

FIG. 8 is the display that appears on selection of the sixth touch key17, to which are associated the instructions for connecting the bloodreturn line to the bubble sensor, and closing the line. As with theprevious displays, the pictograph 18 which appears in the second area162 of the screen describes the instruction given.

FIG. 9 shows the display which appears when the seventh touch key 17 isselected, containing the instructions for activating the scales of thedischarge container of the used liquid, and for hanging the (empty)effluent collection container 11 on the special support hook therefor;and thereafter, for deactivating the scales. The pictograph 18 whichappears on the right of the screen is illustrative of theabove-described group of instructions.

Once all the instructions have been carried out, the operator pressesanother touch key 21 located in a lower region of the display, tocontinue the dialogue with the machine control unit in order to set upthe machine correctly for the treatment required.

The touch screen controller is thus programmed to selectively display aplurality of images (pictograms 18) on the second area 162 of thescreen; selection of one of the touch keys 17 brings on-screen an imagewhich is dedicated only to the selected touch key 17.

The controller is also programmed so that the various images shown onthe second part of the display 162 appear alternatively and notcontemporaneously.

The controller is programmed so that the various images are at leastpartly different to each other, due to the fact that they describeinformation which is also different in each case.

The touch screen comprises a memory containing the above-mentioned datarelating to the machine. The controller is programmed so that thevarious on-screen displays, associated to a same series of proceduralsteps (for example the series of procedural steps for mounting adisposable set for a hemodiafiltration treatment, as in the illustratedembodiment, or for priming the disposable set, or for preparing andconnecting the containers 8, 11, 12 of the various sterile liquids tothe apparatus, or for connecting up the patient to the apparatus, and soon), each comprise a display including the relevant data (for example bydisplaying a button-like touch key next to a legend explaining theinformation, or by writing the data in an area of the screen whichfunctions as a touch key, or in some other way).

The controller can be programmed, as in the illustrated example, sothat, by effect of activation of any one of the various touch keys 17,the data displayed cannot be cancelled and is therefore still visible inthe first area 161 of the screen.

As has been explained, the data comprises instructions for readying themachine. The user interface is programmed so that it visualizes imageswhich can be pictographs representing configurations of the machine, inwhich the configurations are correlated to the instructions given.

The resolution of the second area 162 of the display, which is destinedto display the pictographs, is at least 80 pixels per inch. In theillustrated embodiment, in which the touch-screen is 12 inches with800×600 pixel, the resolution of the second area 162 of the screen,which is destined to show the pictographs and which occupies an area of250×405 pixel, is about 83 pixels per inch.

The touch screen controller is programmed so that each of theabove-mentioned images, displayed in the second area 162 of the screen,is not active in the user-display dialogue process, i.e. there is nointeraction on the part of the user using the second area 162 of thescreen, which is destined, in the displays relating to the preparationprocedure of the machine, to offer only image visualization, with notouch keys or other possibilities of activation on the part of theoperator, who is essentially passive as regards what happens in thesecond area 162, being able only to view the images.

As has been described, the controller is programmed so that byactivation of any one of the touch keys, a part of the first area 161,visually associated to the activated touch key, undergoes a change. Inthe illustrated embodiment the change consists in a change of colour inthe “button” representation of the touch key on-screen.

The controller is also programmed not to enable any change of thecontents of the above-described data by a user operating the touchscreen. The contents of the data can be modified only by an operator whois also an expert in electronics and who is therefore able to intervenein the machine operating system. The nature of the data (for example,operative instructions for readying the machine) is such that there areno variable and settable parameters (as might be the case with thetreatment parameters, such as for example the blood flow rate, theduration of treatment, the quantity of fluid to be removed from thepatient, and so on).

In a further embodiment of the invention, not illustrated, the userinterface controller is programmed to visually modify at least one areaof the display by effect of carrying out at least one of theabove-described operating instructions. In particular, the part ofdisplay which is modified is logically connected to the instructiongiven, and the change in the area of display assumes the guise of aresponse by the machine to the operator, subsequent to an operatinginstruction's having been correctly performed. For example, the responsethat appears on-screen when the operation has been correctly carried outmight consist in highlighting, or colour-coding, or flashing etc. eitherthe part of the pictograph which represents the part of the disposableset related to the instruction just carried out, or the alphanumericimage which appears on-screen in the first area 161 and which describesthe instruction which has just been carried out, or both the areas ofthe display. This signal for indicating a correct carrying-out of theinstruction can last for a predetermined time, or, for example, couldcease when the operator presses one of the touch keys 17, 19, 21.

1. A user interface for an extracorporeal blood treatment machine, whichuser interface comprises: at least one touch screen; at least one memorycontaining at least two images; and at least a controller programmedfor: displaying on a screen of the touch screen at least one displayincluding at least two distinct areas, a first area of the two distinctareas exhibiting at least two touch keys; detecting activation of the atleast two touch keys; displaying in a second area of the at least twoareas of the at least one display, a first of the at least two images,when a first of at the least two touch keys is activated; displaying inthe second area of the at least two areas of the at least one display, asecond of the at least two images, when a second of the at least twotouch keys is activated.
 2. The user interface of claim 1, wherein thecontroller is programmed to display the at least two imagesalternatively and not contemporaneously on the second area of the atleast one display.
 3. The user interface of claim 1, wherein the atleast two images are at least partially different one from another. 4.The user interface of claim 1, wherein the memory comprises a pluralityof data relating to the machine, and wherein the controller isprogrammed to display the data on the first area of the at least onedisplay, each item of the data being displayed in a visually-associatedposition to a touch key of the at least two touch keys.
 5. The userinterface of claim 4, wherein the controller is programmed to displaycontemporaneously the plurality of data on the first area of the atleast one display.
 6. The user interface of claim 4, wherein thecontroller is programmed to keep the plurality of data displayed onscreen following activation of any one of the at least two touch keys.7. The user interface of claim 4, wherein: the plurality of datacomprises operating instructions for readying the machine for use; theat least two images are pictographs which represent configurations ofthe machine correlated to the operating instructions.
 8. The userinterface of claim 7, wherein the controller is programmed to visuallymodify at least a part of the at least one display in response to aperforming of at least one of the operating instructions.
 9. The userinterface of claim 4, wherein the controller is programmed not to allowany change of contents of the plurality of data via the touch screen onthe part of an operator.
 10. The user interface of claim 1, wherein aresolution of the second area of the display is at least 80 pixels perinch.
 11. The user interface of claim 1, wherein the second area of thedisplay is without areas predisposed for data input, at least in areascontaining the at least two images.
 12. The user interface of claim 1,wherein the controller is programmed to visually modify a part of thefirst area by effect of an activation of any one of the at least twotouch keys, the part being visually associated to the activated touchkey.
 13. The user interface of claim 1, wherein each of the imagescomprises at least one pictograph, which at least one pictographrepresents the machine for extracorporeal blood treatment and at least apart of a disposable set which is associated during machine operation tothe machine.
 14. A controller for a user interface as in claim
 1. 15. Amachine for extracorporeal blood treatment, comprising: at least oneblood pump; at least one housing zone for receiving at least oneextracorporeal blood circuit in a position wherein the at least oneextracorporeal blood circuit is operatively associated with the bloodpump; at least a machine control unit; at least one user interface fordialogue between an operator and the control unit, said at least oneuser interface being made according to claim
 1. 16. The machine of claim15, wherein the machine is predisposed to perform at least one offollowing extracorporeal treatments: hemofiltration, hemodiafiltration,therapeutic plasma exchange; hemoperfusion; hemodialysis; pureultrafiltration.
 17. A dialysis machine comprising a user interface asin claim
 1. 18. A process for assisting an operator in readying amachine for extracorporeal blood treatment, wherein the machinecomprises at least one user interface provided with a touch screen, theprocess comprising stages of: displaying on a screen of the touch screenat least one display in which at least two distinct areas are described,a first area of the at least two areas exhibiting at least two touchkeys, each of which at least two touch keys is associated to at leastone operational instruction for readying the machine; touching one ofthe at least two touch keys located in the first area in order to make aselection of at least one operating instruction associated to the one ofthe at least two touch keys; displaying, in response to the selection, apictograph on a second area of the two areas of the display, thepictograph depicting a configuration of the machine correlated to the atleast one operating instruction.
 19. The process of claim 18, comprisingstages of: displaying pictographs which are at least partly differentone from another, alternately and not contemporaneously on the secondarea of the display, in accordance with a selected touch key;contemporaneously displaying, in the first area of the display, aplurality of the operating instructions, and keeping the operatinginstructions on-screen following activation of a touch key of the touchkeys.
 20. The process of claim 18, wherein an operator readying themachine cannot modify, via the touch screen, contents of the operatinginstructions displayed.